Unified adult transthoracic echocardiographic report: an expert consensus document of the Egyptian Working Group of Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Physicians face complexity in interpreting the results of echocardiography (ECHO) due to the variability across ECHO laboratories. Many international organizations published reports to reduce the inter-variability in ECHO reporting. However, with the evolution of imaging modalities, significant improvements in ECHO reporting are essential to eliminate any previous discrepancies. The Egyptian Working Group of Echocardiography (EEWG) aimed to prepare a standardized, updated, simple, and comprehensive ECHO reporting in Egypt to offer consistency, guarantee that all the crucial features are fulfilled, and ease practitioners' communication to maximize clinical decision-making. MAIN TEXT: Relevant articles were retrieved and reviewed to explore the current state of TTE reporting practices, existing guidelines, and challenges faced by physicians in interpreting TTE results. Identified gaps and areas for improvement were then employed to establish the outline for the standardization approach. This report addresses crucial components such as demographic data, measurements, and interpretative summaries. It emphasizes left ventricle measurements and systolic function assessment, incorporating advanced techniques like speckle tracking and three-dimensional imaging. The significance of evaluating diastolic function, examining the right ventricle, and assessing valves, pericardium, and aorta are also discussed. CONCLUSION: The current consensus goals to streamline communication among practitioners contribute to a more unified approach to interpreting ECHO results. Our initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing the standardization and quality of ECHO reporting in Egypt. By introducing this report and encouraging continuous learning, the working group aims to raise the overall reporting quality and facilitate interpretation across diverse echocardiographic settings. This concerted effort improves patient care by ensuring consistency, accuracy, and relevance in interpreting echocardiographic findings.

Intracoronary adenosine compared with adrenaline and verapamil in the treatment of no-reflow phenomenon following primary PCI in STEMI patients.

BACKGROUND: no-reflow can complicate up to 25% of pPCI and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the outcomes of intracoronary epinephrine and verapamil with intracoronary adenosine in the treatment of no-reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: 108 STEMI patients had no-reflow during pPCI were assigned into four groups. Group 1, in which epinephrine and verapamil were injected through a well-cannulated guiding catheter. Group 2, in which same drugs were injected in the distal coronary bed through a microcatheter or perfusion catheter. Group 3, in which adenosine was injected through a guiding catheter. Group 4, in which adenosine was injected in distal coronary bed. Primary end point was the achievement of TIMI III flow and MBG II or III. Secondary end point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during hospital stay. RESULTS: The study groups did not differ in their baseline characteristics. Primary end point was achieved in 15 (27.8%) patients in the guide-delivery arm compared with 34 (63%) patients in the local-delivery arm, p < 0.01. However, the primary end point did not differ between the epinephrine/verapamil group and the adenosine group (27 (50%) vs 22 (40.7%), p = 0.334). The secondary end points were similar between the study groups. CONCLUSION: Local delivery of epinephrine, verapamil and adenosine in the distal coronary bed is more effective in achieving TIMI III flow with MBG II or III compared with their guide-delivery in patients who suffered no-reflow during pPCI. There was no difference between epinephrine/verapamil Vs. adenosine.

Detection and Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis in Egypt.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a life-threatening disease that occurs when amyloid proteins, most commonly immunoglobulin light chain or transthyretin, mutate or become unstable, misfold, deposit as amyloid fibrils, and accumulate in the myocardium. Early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is hindered by insufficient awareness, specifically regarding clinical red flags and diagnostic pathways. Cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis comprises two important phases, clinical suspicion (phase one) followed by definitive diagnosis (phase two). Each phase is associated with specific clinical techniques. For example, clinical features, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging serve to raise suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis and facilitate early diagnosis, whereas laboratory tests (i.e., blood or urine electrophoresis with immunofixation), biopsy, scintigraphy-based nuclear imaging, and genetic testing provide a definitive diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. In Egypt, both the lack of cardiac amyloidosis awareness amongst healthcare providers and the unavailability of clinical expertise for the use of diagnostic techniques must be overcome to improve the prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis in the region. Previously published diagnostic algorithms for cardiac amyloidosis have amalgamated techniques that can raise clinical suspicions of cardiac amyloidosis with those that definitively diagnose cardiac amyloidosis. Though such algorithms have been successful in developed countries, diagnostic tools like echocardiography, scintigraphy, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are not ubiquitously available across Egyptian facilities. This review presents the current state of knowledge regarding cardiac amyloidosis in Egypt and outlines a new diagnostic algorithm which leverages regional nuclear imaging expertise. Importantly, the proposed diagnostic algorithm guides accurate amyloid-typing to mitigate misdiagnosis and erroneous treatment selection and improve the cardiac amyloidosis diagnostic accuracy in Egypt.

Diagnostic algorithms are useful tools for guiding clinical diagnosis by summarizing diagnostic approaches and defining the patient pathway. The diagnostic algorithms for cardiac amyloidosis amalgamate techniques that raise suspicion of the disease with those that can definitively diagnose the disease. These algorithms, for the early detection and diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis, are designed in accordance with developed healthcare systems that have the resources and infrastructure for diagnostic equipment and clinical expertise. There are limited financial resources across healthcare facilities in Egypt for diagnostic equipment like echocardiograms (ECHO), scintigraphy, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and the required clinical training for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. This reduces the possibility of early diagnosis of the disease and subsequent early intervention. Evidently, there is a significant unmet clinical need to develop an algorithm for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis in accordance with the Egyptian healthcare system. This review article details the current awareness regarding the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis and the associated challenges in Egypt. Accordingly, a diagnostic algorithm that leverages nuclear imaging expertise to guide accurate amyloid-typing in order to mitigate misdiagnosis and erroneous treatment, and also improve the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac amyloidosis, has been proposed.

Prognostic impact of pre-interventional culprit artery thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered the most preferred strategy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the prognostic role of spontaneous re-canalization in STEMI patients is still not clear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of pre-procedural TIMI flow grade in the culprit coronary artery on the short and long term prognosis in Egyptian patients presented with STEMI and treated with primary PCI. RESULTS: A dual center, prospective observational study that was conducted in the period from January 2019 till June 2020 and enrolled 150 STEMI patients presented within 24 h from onset of chest pain. Initial angiography was done with analysis of TIMI flow grade in the infarct related artery. Of the 150 enrolled patients; 93 patients (62%) were found to have initial TIMI flow grade 0 (group A) and 57 patients (38%) had initial TIMI flow grade I-III (group B). There was a strong association between cardiac mortality and pre-procedural TIMI flow grade. 12 mortalities (8% of total study population) were recorded during our study period; in-hospital mortality was reported in 7 patients in group A, yet no mortalities were recorded in-hospital in group B (P value = 0.033). At 1 year follow up; 5 mortalities were recorded in group A with no mortalities at all in group B (P value = 0.005). There was a trend towards an increase in acute heart failure incidence in group A yet no statistically significant value was achieved (P value = 0.112). Target lesion revascularization was reported in 8 patients in group A and in only 3 patients in group B (P value 0.446). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the evolution in primary PCI strategies and the continuous advancement in anti-thrombotic treatment; pre-interventional infarct related artery TIMI flow grade I-III is associated with better in hospital and 1 year outcome, specifically significantly lower cardiac mortality compared to patients who had TIMI flow grade 0 at initial angiography.

Correction to: Rapid guide to the management of cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: "a position statement of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology".

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Rapid guide to the management of cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: "a position statement of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology".

COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous challenge to healthcare system in Egypt. This document is a position statement from the Egyptian Society of Cardiology. It aims to provide information to cardiovascular healthcare providers in Egypt to guarantee delivery of quality patient care and ensure adequate levels of protection against infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older patients and those with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of mortality. The current situation requires unusual allocation of resources which may negatively impact the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. Cardiologists should be prepared in the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge is in providing the best quality of care despite limited resources while keeping all medical staff as safe as possible. Consider deferring elective procedures whenever possible. All medical staff should undergo rigorous training on infection control and the use of high-quality personal protection equipment. Cardiologists should promote telemedicine in the outpatient setting, prioritize outpatient contacts, and avoid nosocomial dissemination of the virus to patients and healthcare providers. A much conservative approach for emergent cardiac patients is recommended, and invasive interventions are reserved for high risk hemodynamically unstable patients. During the pandemic, the most important principles of treatment should be controlling the spread of infection as the first priority, prompt assessment of patient risk, recommending conservative medical therapy rather than invasive interventions, and strict infection control measures to limit infection spread within the hospital and to healthcare workers.

Efficacy and safety of amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide single pill combination in Egyptian patients with hypertension uncontrolled on any dual therapy: an observational study.

Objective: Hypertension is a serious health problem in Egypt, with prevalence rate of 17% as reported in 2015. Despite receiving treatment, many do not achieve blood pressure (BP) control. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Aml/Val/HCTZ) single pill combination (SPC) in patients with hypertension from Egypt, who were uncontrolled on any dual therapy.Methods: In this prospective, open label, multicenter, 12-week observational, cohort study, two doses of Aml/Val/HCTZ (5/160/12.5 mg or 10/160/25 mg) SPC were used to evaluate mean change in BP after 12 weeks (primary endpoint). Safety assessments included presence and intensity of ankle edema and other adverse events (AEs).Results: Data were collected from 1080 patients who were treated according to the routine medical practice across 47 centers in Egypt. Significant reduction in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) was observed from 165.5 ± 12.83/100.8 ± 7.03 mmHg at baseline to 129.7 ± 8.35/80.6 ± 5.25 mmHg after 12 weeks of treatment (p < .0001). Majority of patients (76.85%) reached the BP goal of <140/90 mmHg. The most commonly reported AE was ankle edema (10.92%).Conclusions: Aml/Val/HCT SPC significantly reduced BP and was well tolerated in Egyptian patients with hypertension not controlled on any previous dual therapy.

Review of Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management According to the Consensus of Egyptian Experts.

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is a complex and multifactorial entity in which various factors besides hyperglycemia play an important role. Symptoms of DPN are sensory, motor or autonomic. Intensive research proved that oxidative stress is the common denominator for the four major destructive pathways of hyperglycemia including increased hexosamine pathway flux, activation of Protein kinase-C (PKC) pathway, increased Advanced Glycated End-products (AGEs) formation, and increased Polyol Pathway flux. National data in Egypt confirms that more than 60% of Egyptian diabetic patients suffer from neuropathy. The most common complications of DPN are Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN), diabetic foot and ulcers, neuromuscular disability, and anxiety. In addition, DPN affects the Quality of Life (QoL). According to common clinical practice, the common diagnostic tools are bed-side diagnosis and electrophysiological tests. Early diagnosis is critical to improve the prognosis of DPN and therapeutic intervention in the early phase. In this review, we provide a clear understanding of the pathogenesis, early diagnosis and the good management of DPN. Since the pathogenesis of DPN is multifactorial, its management is based on combination therapy of symptomatic; either pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatments, and pathogenic treatment. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent anti-oxidant that has several advantages as a pathogenic treatment of DPN. So, in clinical practice, ALA may be prescribed for patients with early neuropathic deficits and symptoms. Patient education has an important role in the managemement of DPN.

Prevalence of lipid abnormalities and cholesterol target value attainment in Egyptian patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Effective management of hyperlipidemia is of utmost importance for prevention of recurring cardiovascular events after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Indeed, guidelines recommend a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of <70 mg/dL for such patients. The Dyslipidemia International Study II (DYSIS II) - Egypt was initiated in order to quantify the prevalence and extent of hyperlipidemia in patients presenting with an ACS in Egypt. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, we documented patients presenting with an ACS at either of two participating centers in Egypt between November 2013 and September 2014. Individuals were included if they were over 18 years of age, had a full lipid profile available (recorded within 24 h of admission), and had either been taking lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) for ≥3 months at time of enrollment or had not taken LLT. Data regarding lipid levels and LLT were recorded on admission to hospital and at follow-up 4 months later. RESULTS: Of the 199 patients hospitalized for an ACS that were enrolled, 147 were on LLT at admission. Mean LDL-C at admission was 127.1 mg/dL, and was not significantly different between users and non-users of LLT. Only 4.0% of patients had an LDL-C level of <70 mg/dL, with the median distance to this target being 61.0 mg/dL. For the patients with LDL-C information available at both admission and follow-up, LDL-C target attainment rose from 2.8% to 5.6%. Most of the LLT-treated patients received statin monotherapy (98.6% at admission and 97.3% at follow-up), with the mean daily statin dose (normalized to atorvastatin) increasing from admission (30 mg/day) to follow-up (42 mg/day). CONCLUSIONS: DYSIS II revealed alarming LDL-C goal attainment, with none of the patients with follow-up information available reaching the target of LDL-C <70 mg/dL, either at hospital admission or 4 months after their ACS event. Improvements in guideline adherence are urgently needed for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in Egypt. Strategies include the effective use of statins at high doses, or combination with other agents recommended by guidelines.

Peripheral leucocytes and tissue gene expression of granzyme B/perforin system and serpinB9: Impact on inflammation and insulin resistance in coronary atherosclerosis.

AIM: The imbalance between proapoptotic granzyme B (GZB)/perforin (PRF) system and proteinase inhibitor-9 (PI-9; serpinB9); the only known inhibitor of human GZB, has been demonstrated in atherosclerosis. However, their role in atherosclerosis with the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) as well as their contribution to hallmarks of atherosclerosis is not clear. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ELISA for serum insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and GZB levels in atherosclerotic coronary artery diseases (CAD) patients were estimated in comparison to apparently healthy controls, while GZB, PRF and PI-9 mRNA expression levels were quantified by Taqman RT-PCR in both peripheral leucocytes and atherosclerotic tissues. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic patients showed significantly higher insulin, hsCRP and GZB levels than controls. There was a significant increase in GZB mRNA expression and significant reduction in PI-9 mRNA in both patient peripheral leucocytes and atherosclerotic lesions, while PRF mRNA increased significantly only in atherosclerotic tissues. PI-9 mRNA levels were significantly lower in patients with diabetes than patients without diabetes. In contrast to positive modulating effect of GZB, regression analysis revealed negative modulating effect of PI-9 on inflammation and insulin resistance. Circulating PI-9 mRNA was inversely contributed to CAD severity. CONCLUSIONS: GZB and PI-9 could be effective modulators for inflammation and insulin resistance in atherosclerosis.

Association of Thrombospondin-1 (N700S) and Thrombospondin-4 (A387P) Gene Polymorphisms with the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Egyptians

BACKGROUND: Thrombospondin (TSP) 1 and 4 are extracellular matrix glycoproteins that me- diate cell proliferation, platelet aggregation and inflammatory response. Conflicting data addressed the possible contribution of TSP-1 and TSP-4 gene polymorphisms to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to examine the association of TSP-1 (N700S) and TSP-4 (A387P) genetic variants with the incidence of AMI in Egyptians. It also correlated TSP-1 variants to TSP-1 and TNF-α serum concentrations while TSP-4 variants to IL-8 concentration identifying TSPs' contribution to vascular inflammation. METHODS: Genotyping was done in 214 subjects; 114 AMI patients and 100 controls using PCR-RFLP analysis. Serum Tsp-1, TNF-α and IL-8 levels were measured by ELISA assay. RESULTS: For TSP-4, (GC and CC) genotype distribution and the (C) allele frequency were significantly higher in AMI patients than controls (p = 0.0186), (p = 0.0117) respectively. In contrast, TSP-1 genotypes and allele frequencies showed no significant difference between AMI and controls (p = 0.7124 and p = 0.7201, respectively). Serum TSP-1, TNF-α and IL-8 concentrations were significantly elevated in AMI compared to controls (p = 0.0146, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0057) respectively. Serum IL-8 levels had a significant difference among TSP-4 genotypes (p= 0.0368), being highest in the mutant C allele. Serum TSP-1 and TNF-α concentrations showed no significant difference among TSP-1 genotypes, but there was a positive correlation between both concentrations in AMI patients (p = 0.0014), (r = 0.4125). CONCLUSION: TSP-4 A387P polymorphism, but not TSP-1 polymorphism, is an independent risk factor for AMI in the Egyptians.

Efficacy and Safety of Local Intracoronary Drug Delivery in Treatment of No-Reflow Phenomenon: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Successful reopening of epicardial coronary artery does not always mean optimal myocardial reperfusion in a sizable portion of patients, mostly because of no-reflow phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether local injection of adrenaline ± verapamil in the distal coronary bed is more effective than their intracoronary (IC) injection through the guiding catheter in the treatment of no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 40 patients with no-reflow following PCI were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received IC adrenaline ± verapamil through a well-cannulated guiding catheter while Group 2 received the above-mentioned drugs in the distal coronary bed through a perfusion balloon or selective microcatheter. The primary end points were the achievement of TIMI III flow with MBG II or III. Secondary end points were the occurrence of hypotension, arrhythmias, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during hospital stay. RESULTS: After drug injection, the percentage of patients achieving Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) III flow in Group 1 was 40% versus 80% in Group 2, P = 0.032. MBG II and III was significantly lower in Group 1; 10% and 25% versus 15% and 65% in Group 2, respectively, P = 0.033. Primary end points were achieved in only 35% of patients in Group 1 and in 80% of patients in Group 2 (odds ratio, 7.43, 95% confidence interval 1.78-31.04, P < 0.01). Secondary end points were not different between both groups. CONCLUSION: Local intra-coronary delivery of adrenaline ± verapamil is a safe and effective method for the treatment of no-reflow phenomenon complicating PCI.

Plasma granzyme B in ST elevation myocardial infarction versus non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: comparisons with IL-18 and fractalkine.

OBJECTIVE: The proapoptotic protein, granzyme B (GZB), was identified as a contributor to the atherosclerotic plaque instability and recently as inflammatory activator. We studied the release kinetics of GZB and other markers of inflammation such as high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and fractalkine (FKN) in the early phase after acute cardiac events in different ACS subgroups. METHODS: Thirty-six nondiabetic patients with ACS were compared to 12 control subjects. According to ACS diagnosis, the patients were classified into 22 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 14 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina (NSTEMI/UA). Blood samples were taken on day 1 (day of onset) and day 3 to measure hsCRP, IL-18, FKN, and GZB by ELISA. RESULTS: Patients with ACS showed significantly higher GZB, IL-18, and FKN levels than the controls. STEMI group showed significantly higher GZB levels than NSTEMI/UA group. On day 3, FKN levels displayed a significant decrease, while GZB levels were significantly increased. IL-18 levels were more or less constant. GZB levels were positively correlated with IL-18 (r = 0.416, P < 0.01) and FKN (r = 0.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike IL-18 and FKN, plasma GZB may be a marker of ACS disease severity.